Tombstone Tuesday–Miller, Carl F. & Gertrude

 

Carl F & Gertrude Miller, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Ohio

This is the tombstone of Carl F. and Gertrude Miller. It is located in row 10 of  Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. Gertrude was the little girl in the 5-generation photo featured in my blog, A Snapshot of the Past–Five Generations of My Family. She was my grandmother.

Gertrude E. Brewster was born 3 November 1896 in Adams County, Indiana. She was the first of eight children born to Philip Henry and Pearl Selina (Reid) Brewster. Her siblings were Alpha (1898-1968), Jesse (1900-1964), Dore (1902-1982), Bernice (1907-1994), Elva (1909-2005), Glen (1912-1971), and Dorothy (1916-2009). Gertrude died 4 February 1973.

Carl Frederick was the son of Johann “Jacob” and Christine (Rueck) Miller. He was born 20 February 1896 in Blackcreek Township, Mercer County, and was the first child to be born in their “new” house, which is still standing today. He was the sixth of seven children born to Jacob and Christine. His siblings were Maria Regina (1884-1905), Jacob Jr. (1885-1913), Catherina (1886-1895), John (1889-1964), Caroline (1893-1988), and Clara (1899-1997). He also had two half brothers, Pete (1878-1957) and Christian (1880-1911) Miller. Carl died 25 November 1973.

Carl and Gertrude were married at Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, on 10 July 1919 by Rev. JE Albrecht. (Vol K:531, Probate, Adams County, Indiana). They had nine children: Ruth, Helen, Emilene, Herbert, Catherine, Carl LaVerne, Kenneth, Anna Lou, and a stillborn child born in 1940.

Carl and Gertrude were my grandparents and I remember them very well. I remember Grandpa reading the newspaper on summer afternoons while sitting under a shade tree in his metal lawn chair. He also liked to spend time relaxing in his hammock, which was strung between 2 trees in their front yard. He always had Hershey candy bars in the cupboard to give to the grandkids. Grandma liked to garden and took pride in her garden. She was a very good cook and was a fun loving person. Grandma wanted the neighbors to think she was up and working early every morning, so she would get up early, turn on some lights, then go back to bed! The three of us spent many afternoons playing 500 Rummy at their kitchen table and sitting on the porch swing.

Obituary: Gertrude E. Miller

ROCKFORD–Services for Gertrude E. Miller, 76, will be at 2 p.m. today in the Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Rev. Ralph Hershberger officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mrs. Miller died at 4 a.m. Sunday in Smith Nursing Home, here.

Survivors include her husband, Carl F. Miller, three sons, Herbert M. of Rt. 1, C. LaVerne of Monroe, Ind. and Kenneth E. of Highland, Ind.; four daughters, Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Werner of Harmony, Pa., Emilene Weitz of Rt. 1, Mrs. Paul (Catherine) Eichler of Rt. 3, and Ann Lou Kosier of Rt. 1 Willshire; 24 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. One daughter, Mrs. Paul (Helen) Linn is deceased.

Friends may call at the Yager Funeral Home in Berne, Ind. until 1 p.m. today. (source: The Lima News, 6 February 1973.)

Gertrude E. (Brewster) Miller (1896-1973)

Gertrude E. Brewster (1912 photo)

 

Obituary: Carl Miller Dies at 77

Carl F. Miller, 77, R. 1 Willshire, died at 5:20 p.m. Sunday at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He had been ill three months. He was born Feb. 20, 1896, in Mercer County, the son of Jacob and Christina (Rueck) Miller. His wife, Gertrude Brewster, preceded him in death.

He is survived by three sons, Herbert M., R.R. Rockford; C. LaVerne, Monroe, Ind.; and Kenneth E., Highland, Ind.; four daughters, Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Werner, Harmony, Pa.; Mrs. Emilene Weitz, R. 1 Rockford; Mrs. Paul (Catherine) Eichler, R. 3 Rockford; and Mrs. Anna L. Kosier, R. 1 Willshire; two sisters, Mrs. John (Clara) Reef, R. 1 Willshire; and Mrs. Howard (Caroline) Caffee, R. 1 Willshire, 24 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter.

Mr. Miller was a retired employee of the Central Soya Co., and was a farmer. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, the Rev. Ralph Hershberger officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call at Yager Funeral Home, Berne, Ind., after noon Tuesday, until noon Wednesday, and at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of services. (source: The Lima News, 27 Nov 1973)

Carl F. Miller (1896-1973)

Carl F. Miller

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